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daguila3 submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter to your younger self – Spring/Summer 2022 2 years, 9 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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jessicadoremanning submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter to your younger self – Spring/Summer 2022 2 years, 9 months agoThey Have Lasers for That: A Letter to Little Jessica
When I was a child, I was chubby, had a perpetually flushed face, and was the least athletically coordinated human on the planet, or at least the worst at Saint Joseph School. In the nine years I attended Catholic school, wearing plaid skirts, knee socks, and black Oxford shoes, I can fondly remember playing with my friends and excelling in academics. But I also remember my struggles. I think about the advice I wish I had, and the advice I hope to pass on to my daughter. I wish I knew that what is written on your report card doesn’t matter in adulthood. I wish I knew that most of my classmates were feeling just as awkward as I was. I wish I knew that they made lasers for red cheeks that burned brighter than the fire of a thousand suns. I wish I had these gems of knowledge tucked in my back pocket, or more accurately, tucked in the elastic band of my knee socks. So here it is: the advice I would tell my younger self. Listen up, Little Jessica.
1. Get comfortable saying “No.”
“No” is the most powerful word in the English language. When you say “No,” it doesn’t mean you don’t want to help, that you don’t care about the needs of others, or that you dislike someone. “No” is putting your needs first, and not over-committing to everyone else’s requests. “No” is setting boundaries that you are comfortable with, and acknowledging that it is not your responsibility to make everyone else happy. “No” is asserting yourself to not be coerced into actions, thoughts, or beliefs that don’t suit you. “No” is a part of life, and a freeing part, at that. So say it to the playdates you don’t want. Say it to the group member who won’t do their share of the work. Say it to the lunch lady who gave you mashed potatoes when you asked for fries. Say it kindly. Say it confidently. Say it with respect. But you must learn to say it.2. If you believe you can’t, then you’re right, you can’t.
One of the greatest tools I have discovered is the ability to manifest, which is the ability to create ideas into reality. You can literally speak your every desire into existence. New cars, healthy relationships, even a cup of coffee. I do it every day. Manifesting is the greatest key to unlocking every hope and dream you have for your life: but you must believe. So make sure your attitude is one of gratitude. Count your blessings. Literally count them. I list 10 things I am thankful for every night before bed. The more you’re thankful for, the more you find you have to be thankful for. The big things, the little things, the seemingly insignificant things. Be thankful for passing your spelling test, the butterfly you saw during recess, or for arriving safely home from school. Being thankful and appreciative is a critical component in the positive attitude that creates continued blessings. So count up those blessings, and manifest a few more while you’re at it.3. Know your worth.
This is the hardest for me, as it seems to be for many of us. If you asked people what it means to know their worth, they may all have very different answers. For me, it means realizing that you are deserving of respect. It’s having the self-confidence to be able to walk away from a toxic person or situation because you know that you deserve better. You have the ability to determine your worth in every situation: with your friends, your family, and one day at your job or in a relationship. Acknowledging that you are worthy of respect is the greatest gift you can give yourself, and it is truly the gift that keeps on giving. You will walk a little taller and speak a little louder because you have the confidence of self-worth. Remember, you are deserving of all the blessings life has to offer, because you are worthy of receiving them.It’s hard to be a kid. You’re always told what to do and how to do it. Sit down. Stop talking. Stand in line. Don’t touch that. Play with these people. Kick a dodgeball like you have any athletic ability whatsoever. I’m sure today’s kids have it harder in a world of iPhones, TikTok, and 9-year-olds with contoured makeup. I thought we had it rough in the late ‘90s, when my greatest envy was my friend with her own phone line. Truthfully, I’m grateful that chapter of my life is over. No more gym class, no more math homework, no more plaid uniforms. To this day, I can’t stomach an Oxford shoe. So when I think of Little Jessica, wading through childhood angst in nine long years of “Catholic plaid,” I want to assure her that there are answers to her problems. All that she worries about, has a solution. I want teach her to be humble, to learn to meditate, to appreciate the power of prayer, to learn to laugh at herself, to wear the sunscreen, and to remember that pooping in a public bathroom is not nearly as mortifying as she thinks it is. But mostly, I want to kiss Little Jessica on her bright red cheeks that she hates so much, and say to her, “Sweetheart, they have lasers for that.”
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ella submitted a contest entry to
Write a letter to your younger self – Spring/Summer 2022 2 years, 9 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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citybee shared a letter in the
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Michelle Lemus shared a letter in the
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Catherine Bell shared a letter in the
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Ky Gugelman shared a letter in the
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Madi Trout shared a letter in the
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Makayla Malachowski shared a letter in the
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Nicholette Goodin shared a letter in the
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Amber Sanchez shared a letter in the
A letter to my younger self group 2 years, 9 months agoA younger me called out in the darkness
AmberA closet full of skeletons
I’ve got them by the hanger
Do you wish to see my morgue?
Come close
The stench will drive you away
My mind’s dark crevices whisper incessantly
“Unlovable” they hiss
Insistent I stay silent to abuse because
I deserve it
I’m sitting in a red sofa chair
My therapist eyes directed at mine; concerned
“People don’t stay” I say
She responds, “Why do you believe that?”
“Because no one ever has”
The skeletons live in my head
My brain tries on a new one each day
A different tactic to keep me trapped within myself
Are you sure you want to see?
This dark space in my mind is even locked from me
To my younger self:
Yes, I want to see
I want to know every part
Hug each one bone by bone
And love you
Take off the hood from the grim reaper you call your past
And you’ll find a little girl that has only ever wanted to be loved.
Don’t be scared
make eye contact
Do you see her?
You are the same
I want to embrace your pain
And tell you its beautiful
Because you are loved
By me
Your bumps and bruises
Are not things to be ashamed of
You are a mosaic full of stories
People are too scared to even think to be a part of
You have done more than survive
The little light in you has thrived
In the darkness, when no one knew
You graduated
You found a job
You found a home
Imperfection has blossomed you
Into something beautifully impermanent
A never ending sculpture
That you get to mold
Your mind is your own
And yes you will make mistakes
Blotches in your canvas will appear
And make your life that much more clear
That blotch of paint
The drop you accidentally let leave your brush
Turned into a scenery
One beyond your wildest dreams
A map that is guiding you
To becoming your best self
I know life is full of unknowns
Change
Moments of loneliness
Pain
But there is also
Joy
Love
Goodness
Kindness
Don’t be afraid
For these are the stepping stones
That bring you home
To yourself
And I’ll be with you every step of the way
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What wonderful work! Congratulations on achieving it. Let’s be friends! Our experiences differ but the feeling of being alone, of not connecting with others… it is the same. Isolation, the sense of being the only one experiencing it is so common to us and to others here. So rare to speak o it, to put it out in the open, o take the risk.
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Amber what a sweet poem to your younger self. I want to give you and your younger self a hug. You now our part of The Unsealed family, and you are loved. You beautiful and your are strong. So proud of your strength. It takes courage to face your past but not allow to be your present. You have so much to love and so much to be proud of. <3 Lauren
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Amber this poem is magnificent. Younger you would be so proud of the person you are today. Your letter is so inspiring because a lot of us go through dark paths in the past where it is very hard to find the light to get out of that darkness. I’m glad that she found your light and that you motivating other people to find their light.
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Amber this is such a thought-invoking poem! I love the depth of it and how you really paint a picture of your feelings with your words. I think a hard lesson we all experience (on different levels is) that people are supposed to come and go in our life. Some longer than others and some in the worst ways. Overcoming abandonment is something that…read more
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Melynda Rackley shared a letter in the
A letter to my younger self group 2 years, 9 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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Jacey shared a letter in the
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Abi Peterson shared a letter in the
A letter to my younger self group 2 years, 9 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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Dead Poet of the Astro shared a letter in the
A letter to my younger self group 2 years, 9 months agoCasually Allure
DeniseDear little me,
I wish I could say that life is everything you dreamed it would be. But the truth is neither your parents nor the education system prepared you for a single real life thing. I’ve only just begun to process it all. It seems much heavier now. I have to admit I am very proud of who you are at your core. I don’t know where it came from but our foundation is strong and for this I am thankful. It’s you who got me this far, and you who will continue to touch many lives.I’d also like to say that I’m sorry. You endured so many things, sometimes willingly, because of the way you were conditioned to “be” and you did not deserve it. I will free you of these things one day but I know you would have remained a strong and solid person regardless. This way is healthier and your children won’t repeat the same cycles.
You know a different kind of love now, being a mother of two. I know you never imagined this but honestly not even your hours spent daydreaming could create something so beautiful. Your first is your best friend, he’s like you in many ways. Wise beyond his years, resilient, and creative. Your second, she’s what you wish you could have been; firm, bubbly and such a diva. Everything you hated about yourself- they also possess. You learned to love yourself and healed yourself through them and that was only the beginning. Your heart and mind have expanded since becoming a mom. You learned many things about your parents and grew to understand them and their flaws, you learned to give them grace and forgive them. All of this was done with no guidance other than your ability to dissect thoughts and emotions, your desire to understand everything and brutal honesty with yourself. And you used to feel like you couldn’t make anyone proud? You’re a work of art, naturally. I would not have come this far if you had been a different person.
I want you to know that even though life has not been easy, and you spent many nights just wishing you could catch a break or wake up somewhere else- life has been worth it. You leave such an impact on everyone you meet, you light up rooms, you breathe life into others simply by being you. Your existence is a gift on its own. Your belief in yourself is all you need and I’m sorry that I didn’t realize it sooner. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their corner, and even though there were times you wished you didn’t give so much of yourself- I promise you it was never in vain.
You’ve been an inspiration to many. Mr. Bean would be proud. He once told you that you were his hero and at the time I didn’t grasp the weight of those words but as I’m writing this for you today I finally understand it. You’re my hero too. Maybe all I needed was to let my brain put together what my heart already knew. Thank you for sticking around long enough for me to figure all of this out. Life is nothing like you thought it would be, the real world is a mess even for those with guidance and planners and strict schedules. But you are everything that I needed to make it this far. I promise to always honor who you are at your core no matter what circumstance life throws at me, and to allow myself some time every now and then to lose myself in the little things that make you happy.
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Denise, the world and adulthood are full of surprises, but clearly you’ve handled it with so much strength. The love you have for your children is very clear in this piece and they are so lucky to have you. It takes courage to grow, to forgive, to be better than what you know and. you are doing all that and more. Keep shining. I can’t wait to read…read more
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Thank you for this Lauren! What you started with this website is going to reach so many people. I feel like I’m back in school in my favorite class writing & thriving.
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Aww that makes me so happy to hear. You have so much light inside of you. And now you are allowing yourself t shine. Thank you for sharing your light, love, wisdom and story with all of us! <3 Lauren
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Wow Denise your life was a roller coaster. Even though we have our ups and downs what did us to greatness is that stop where we can get off and if we want we can jump back on again. i’m glad that you signed and you gain strength and love for even your children that you have today. Even without knowing you showed love by sharing your story to s…read more
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Thank you, I truly hope to meet more people & share our stories so we learn from each other. I’m so thankful we have this site & social media to use productively. I know I’ve already learned from a few other stories here <3
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Denise you better preach! “neither your parents nor the education system prepared you for a single real life thing.” When I entered the real world I was absolutely shocked. Most parents try to give their best, from the knowledge they’ve acquired but the world is constantly changing. The school system….well we get what we pay for right? (If…read more
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The system should be more concerned with arming us with knowledge, real life knowledge. The world could evolve a hundred times but if we had the mental capacity to process & heal & accept that we deserve peaceful lives- we would be thriving & actually living. Thank you so much!
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Hi Denise. Wow what an amazing letter. Such a strong girl you must be. A great mother for your kids no doubt. It’s been enjoyable listening to you on the Zoom conferences. You do a tremendous job. It’s very nice to meet you 😊
See you at the next one I hope 😊
@shedevildee
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Mariyah Calderon shared a letter in the
A letter to my younger self group 2 years, 9 months agoThis post is viewable by the Unsealed community only.
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1. Get comfortable saying “No.”
